​Joke weapon? ISIS reveals homemade long-range sniper rifle

As ISIS aims to establish a 'caliphate' in the Middle East, the extremist group has unveiled its newest weapon – a homemade sniper rifle. Whether it will be useful in the battlefield remains to be seen, as experts claim it’s far too heavy and inaccurate.

Newly emerged photos
show an Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) fighter using the
long-range weapon. But the rifle appears to be missing a tripod
stand – so the extremist is using a tree branch for
stability.

Sniper and counter-terrorism expert Malcolm Nance told MailOnline
that the rifle is a “joke weapon.”

“It is not professionally made.
It appears to be constructed using cheap optics and wielded
together,” said Nance, who is part of the Terror Asymmetrics
Project on Strategy, Tactics and Radical Ideology.

Also
on Monday, Iraq's defense ministry reportedly announced that
“the so-called ISIS war minister” was killed in an
airstrike by the army's aviation force, Iraqi News
reported.

It's not the first time IS has revealed a sniper weapon. In
December, the extremist group showed off a 10-foot rifle capable
of firing 23mm caliber bullets – three times the size of standard
rifle ammunition. Photos at the time showed it being supported by
two tripods.

As the extremist group aims to form a 'caliphate' in the Middle
East, it continues to lure fighters with bonuses and promises of
a great life.

On Wednesday, reports emerged that IS is promising militants a free honeymoon, cash to
start a family, and a housing bonus.